A few months ago, my family and I went on vacation to the Tidewater area of Virginia. We make this particular trip at least once a year because of my ties to family friends and college (big shout out to Hampton University!). During this last trip, I noticed something that caused me to really step back and re-evaluate how I was living my life. I noticed that during my vacation, I was averaging at least two work calls a day. How did this happen? Is this my fault? Is this the church’s fault? (I asked you if I could be honest…)
I prayed to God and did some introspection as it related to my relationship with WORK and I came to the conclusion that I had forgotten how to REST.
For many of us, our balance with work and rest is very off. We work so hard to climb the never-ending ladders that we have created. We get some sort of high from people recognizing how hard we work. We even pride ourselves on not getting rest, like it’s some badge of honor. This is not healthy nor holy.
Do you remember the Ten Commandments? Let’s look at the fourth one:
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days, you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days, the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (Exodus 20:8 NIV).
Please understand that I’m not making some strong theological stand on which day we should worship, but I do want to focus on and honor the principle. We need rest! Everything on this earth needs rest. Whatever you are not allowing to rest, you are abusing. We even see this in our seasons.
We are in the fall season right now, which is when we see the trees dying. Isn’t it beautiful? Lol! Yes, there is even beauty in death. The next season we experience will be winter when the ground RESTS. It’s not producing, and nobody is picking at it for harvest. When is your day or season of rest? Is there a time when you’re not producing and nobody is picking at you?
My challenge to all of us is to schedule that day or season of rest. Make it a priority, not just because it’s a healthy thing to do, but also because it’s a holy thing to do.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG).
If you need help or support, please contact Care.
If you are looking for activities where you can meet others, check out our Events.
If you are looking for people to do life with, connect with our Groups.